Fake/Non-Original Replacement Key BMW 325ci 2001 - BMW Forum

NightRider · 09-13-2008, 03:55 AM

Hello everyone, I am new to this site and happy to be a member...

I just bought a new BMW 325ci 2001, it has 1 key only and I surely wanna get another one...I called the BMW dealer and he said it's gonna cost me around 400$!!! Now I know I can simply get an exact non-original copy that normally works from the black market for about 100$ but I was told that the fake copies can damage my EWS system or something and if so it's gonna cost me a lot more then!

Any ideas on fake/non-original black market replacement keys? Do they work? Any side-effects on EWS?

I appreciate your help

, cheers

marti5 · 09-13-2008, 11:03 AM

Black market??? yes they can a will mess up EWS, when you get a new key from BM the programme it via computer to your car.

Dirty_Tool · 09-13-2008, 12:44 PM

Call another dealer, normally the price of a replacement Master key for that model is $200-250 US.

Regarding the "black market" keys i do not see how they can work. BMW sends the key preprogrammed for your car by the VIN # so that it will work with your EWS system.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 09-13-2008, 12:45 PM

Just suck it up and get the key the quality is well worth it.... and no risk or thousands in damage.... Mine was like $230 for my e38 should be around that....

NightRider · 09-14-2008, 03:53 AM

Guys, I appreciate your help.
When I said Black Market I meant those ElectroMechanical repair people who have everything you can imagine of hacked tools, machines and softwares for any car brand...
One machine is meant to intercept the signal between the Key and the car, get a full analysis on how they interchange coding and stuff, take into consideration the VIN maybe and program a new electronic chip to be used with the new key they're making!!!!
Beleive me, the new key will be better than the original one when it comes to performance and even looks

...We're talking pro. here!

Now the risk that one can take here is considering that those hacked materials work like the original BMW ones and BMW doesn't have an "inner" system to detect if the key used is a hacked one and everyone will be happy

. Otherwise, busted EWS like the dealer told me!!

What do you think?!

p.s.: As for the price, that's what the dealer said, 400$! Tehy're gonna ask for a replacement from Germany or the US I donno and I live in the Middle East!